The Claim

Daily supplementation with a multivitamin-mineral complex for a duration of two years results in a statistically significant improvement in episodic memory among adults aged 60 and older, with a mean effect size of 0.12 standard deviation units in the clinic sub-cohort and 0.06 standard deviation units in the meta-analysis.

Source: Effect of multivitamin-mineral supplementation versus placebo on cognitive function: Results from the clinic sub-cohort of the COSMOS randomized clinical trial and meta-analysis of three cognitive studies within COSMOS.

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
52score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Taking a daily multivitamin for two years might help older adults remember things like names or where they put their keys a little better — but the improvement is very small.

See the scientific wording

Daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation for 2 years significantly improves episodic memory in adults aged 60 and older, with a mean effect size of 0.12 standard deviation units in the clinic sub-cohort and 0.06 standard deviation units in the meta-analysis.

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Effect of multivitamin-mineral supplementation versus placebo on cognitive function: Results from the clinic sub-cohort of the COSMOS randomized clinical trial and meta-analysis of three cognitive studies within COSMOS.

    The abstract reports statistically significant improvements in episodic memory in both the clinic sub-cohort (p<0.05) and the meta-analysis (p=0.0007), with precise effect sizes. The use of 'significantly more favorable change' and 'benefits' implies a causal interpretation consistent with RCT design.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

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